Abrasive sharpener

ABSTRACT

An abrasive sharpener including a housing having a slotted bottom surface, an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position, and a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the stored position. The abrasive sharpener may also include a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/975,430, filed Apr. 4, 2014,which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to abrasive sharpeners, more specificallyto an abrasive sharpener having multiple abrasive elements, and evenmore particularly to an abrasive sharpener having multiple abrasiveelements wherein one of the elements is extendible and retractable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known sharpeners take a variety of forms. Abrasive sharpeners used tosharpen knife blades, serrated knife blades, and the like are well knownin the art. The sharpening elements included in a particular sharpenerare selected based on the desired use of the sharpener, i.e., what typesof blades will be sharpened. For example, an arrow blade is sharpenedusing a different element than a serrated blade.

Depending on the sharpener arrangement and its intended uses, thevarious elements are presented to a user differently. In some instances,a sharpening element is always exposed and full accessible, while inother instances a sharpening element is retracted during non-use tominimize the site of the sharpener, to protect the sharpening elementfrom damage and/or to protect the user from injury during non-use of theparticular sharpening element.

An example of a known abrasive sharpener is described in U.S. Pat. No.8,221,199 which issued on Jul. 17, 2012 (Smith), the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Smith describes apocket abrasive sharpener having a housing formed with a pair of upperslots and a lower open compartment. A pair of abrasive ceramic stones ismounted in one of the slots to form a V-shaped sharpening slot. Eachceramic stone has at least one flat face to abut an adjacent reversedstone to form the V-shaped sharpening slot. The stone has an abrasivecutting edge formed with a radius for sharpening serrated edges and hasabrasive surfaces on both sides of the radius. A pair of abrasive bladeshaving V-shaped carbide cutting edges is mounted in the other of theslots to also form a V-shaped sharpening slot. A tapered abrasive rod ispivotally mounted on the housing and is moveable from the compartment toan extended position. The compartment includes protrusions that extendinto the compartment for retaining the abrasive rod therein or in anextended position in a snapped relationship. The frictional contactbetween the rod and the protrusions in combination with the abrasivenature of the rod causes the protrusions to wear away over time.Moreover, in some embodiments, the abrasive rod is connected to the bodyvia a plastic or metal T-shaped mount. In those embodiments, theprotrusions may maintain the snapped relationship by frictional contactbetween the protrusions and the T-shaped mount. The repeated frictionalconnect between the protrusions and the T-shaped mount results in wearon the T-shaped mount, which in turn results a decrease in the forcerequired to establish the snapped relationship. Thus, after a period ofuse of either arrangement, the abrasive rod will no longer be retainedin either the stowed or extended position.

Heretofore, moveable sharpening elements have been held in place withmeans such as protrusions interacting with features on the moveableelements of the body of the sharpener. Such arrangements are subject towear and deteriorate over time. Thus, there has been a longfelt need foran abrasive sharpener comprising moveable elements that are not prone towear, deterioration or failure over its useful life. The presentdisclosure addresses the foregoing issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises an abrasive sharpener includinga housing having a slotted bottom surface, an abrasive rod pivotallymounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a storedposition and an extended position, and a first magnet positioned withinthe slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure theabrasive rod in the stored position.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material andthe abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet.

In some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes a mounthaving a first end and a second end, and the abrasive rod is secured tothe first end while the second end is pivotally mounted within theslotted bottom surface. In some embodiments, the mount includes aT-shape. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magnetic material andthe mount is attracted by the first magnet.

In some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes a secondmagnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged toreleasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material andthe abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet and by the secondmagnet. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magnetic material andthe mount is attracted by the first magnet and the second magnet.

The present invention broadly comprises an abrasive sharpener includinga housing having a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening and aslotted bottom surface, a first sharpening element having an abrasiverod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movementbetween a stored position and an extended position, a first magnetpositioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasablysecure the first sharpening element in the stored position, a secondsharpening element fixedly secured an edge of the housing, a thirdsharpening element positioned within the first slotted opening, and afourth sharpening element positioned within the second slotted opening.

In some embodiments, the second sharpening element is formed from aceramic material and comprises a tapered edge, in some embodiments, thethird sharpening element comprises first and second carbide bitsarranged to form a V-shape, and in some embodiments, the fourthsharpening element comprises first and second ceramic bits arranged toform a V-shape.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material andthe abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the first sharpening element further includes a mounthaving a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to thefirst end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slottedbottom surface. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magneticmaterial and the mount is attracted by the first magnet.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes asecond magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arrangedto releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position. In someof the embodiments including a second magnet, the abrasive rod includesa magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the firstmagnet and by the second magnet. Similarly, in some of the embodimentsincluding a second magnet, the first sharpening element further includesa mount having a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is securedto the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within theslotted bottom surface, the mount includes a magnetic material and themount is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an abrasivesharpener comprising moveable elements that are not prone to wear,deterioration or failure over its useful life.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciable from the following description of preferredembodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now bemore fully described in the following detailed description of theinvention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a left side top perspective view of a present inventionabrasive sharpener showing an abrasive rod in a stored position;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a right side bottom perspective view of the abrasive sharpenerof FIG. 1, showing the moveable element in the stored position; and,

FIG. 9 is a right side bottom perspective view of the abrasive sharpenerof FIG. 1, showing the moveable element in a partially deployed orextended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the invention. While the present invention isdescribed with respect to what is presently considered to be thepreferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimedis not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular methodology, materials and modifications described and assuch may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only,and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, whichis limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devicesor materials similar or equivalent to those described is herein can beused in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods,devices, and materials are now described.

FIGS. 1 through 9 depict an embodiment of the present invention abrasivesharpener. Abrasive sharpener 50 comprises housing 52. Housing 52comprises slotted bottom surface 54. Abrasive sharpener 50 furthercomprises abrasive rod 56 pivotally mounted within slotted bottomsurface 54 for movement between a stored position (See FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7and 8) and an extended position (See FIG. 9), and further comprisesfirst magnet 58 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54 and arrangedto releasably secure abrasive rod 56 in the stored position.

It should be appreciated that abrasive sharpener 50 comprises housing orbody 52, which houses four sharpening elements. The first sharpeningelement, in some embodiments, is a moveable, diamond tapered metal rod,i.e., abrasive rod 56, plated with a diamond abrasive coating. Abrasiverod 56 stows or retracts within body 52 of sharpener 50. Moveablediamond tapered metal rod 56 may be deployed or extended into a usableposition outside body 52 of sharpener 50. Abrasive rod 56 is shownpartially deployed in FIG. 9. The fully deployed or extended position isreached when abrasive rod 56 contacts second magnet 60. Abrasive rod 56,when formed as a diamond tapered element, is used to sharpen serrationsin a knife blade, and can also be used in similar fashion as an abrasivebutcher's steel to sharpen the edge of a non-serrated straight edgeblade. It should be appreciated that abrasive rod 56 may take otherforms, e.g., a cylindrical rod, and such variations are within the scopeof the claims.

In some embodiments, abrasive rod 56 comprises a magnetic material,e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magneticalloys, and any other magnetic material or combination of materialsknown in the art. Abrasive rod 56 is attracted by first magnet 58. Thus,abrasive rod 56 is held stowed/retracted using magnetic attractionbetween first magnet 58 and rod 56 (See FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8).

It should be appreciated that the magnetic interaction may be betweenmagnets 58 and 60 and abrasive rod 56, as depicted in the figures, butmay also be between magnets 58 and 60 and other moveable features. Insome embodiments, the first abrasive or sharpening element furthercomprises mount 62. Mount 62 comprises first end 64 and second end 66.Abrasive rod 56 is secured to first end 64 and second end 66 ispivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54. In some embodiments,mount 62 comprises a T-shape, e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.Moreover in some embodiments, mount 62 comprises a magnetic material,e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magneticalloys, and any other magnetic material or combinations of materialsknown in the art. In those embodiments, mount 62 is attracted by firstmagnet 58 to retain abrasive rod 56 in a stored or retracted position.

In some embodiments, abrasive sharpener 50 further comprises secondmagnet 60 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54 and arranged toreleasably secure abrasive rod 56 in the extended position (See, FIG.9). It should be appreciated that FIG. 9 depicts abrasive rod 56 in apartially extended position and that the full extended position isreached when abrasive rod 56 is immediately adjacent and/or in contactwith second magnet 60.

As described above, in some embodiments, abrasive rod 56 comprises amagnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, variousferrites, magnetic alloys, and any other magnetic material orcombinations of materials known in the art. Abrasive rod 56 is attractedby first magnet 58 and by second magnet 60. Thus, abrasive rod 56 isheld deployed/extended using magnetic attraction between second magnet60 and rod 56 (See FIG. 9). Furthermore, as described above, the firstabrasive element may further comprise mount 62 comprising first end 64and second end 66. Abrasive rod 56 is secured to first end 64 whilesecond end 66 is pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54.Mount 62 may comprise a T-shape. And still further, as described above,in some embodiments, mount 62 comprises a magnetic material, e.g., iron,nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magnetic alloys, andany other magnetic material or combinations of materials known in theart. In those embodiments, mount 62 is attracted by first magnet 58 andsecond magnet 60 to retain abrasive rod 56 in a stored/retractedposition and a deployed/extended position, respectively.

It should be appreciated that the magnetic elements included in thepresent sharpener may be attached to the body of the sharpener in avariety of ways. For example, the magnetic elements may be imbeddedwithin the body and held by adhesive or heat staking, as shown in thefigures. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be adhered to thesurface of the body, or further, may be molded within the body itselfand fully enclosed by the material that forms the body, for example, inembodiments where body 52 is formed from a resin based material.

In addition to the foregoing, abrasive sharpener 50 may include othersharpening elements as described above. For example, in someembodiments, abrasive sharpener comprises second sharpening element 68,which may be made of a ceramic material and includes tapered edge 70that can be used as a means to sharpen the scallops of serrated blades.Ceramic element 68 can also be used to sharpen the edge of anon-serrated blade, by using it in the same manner as a bench stone.

Moreover, abrasive sharpener 50 may include yet another sharpeningelement, i.e., third sharpening element 72. In some embodiments, thirdsharpening element 72 is a carbide pull-through element. Carbide bits 74a and 74 b of sharpening element 72 are arranged to create a V-shapedbevel of approximately 45°; however, other angles are also possible,30°, and such variations fall within the scope of the claims. Knives aresharpened by pulling the blade through V-shaped groove 76 at moderatepressure, which results in metal being shaved off of the blade, leavinga very sharp 45° V-shaped working edge.

Still further, abrasive sharpener 50 may include yet another sharpeningelement, i.e., fourth sharpening element 78. In some embodiments, fourthsharpening element 78 is the ceramic pull-through element, similar tothird sharpening element 72; however, fourth sharpening element 78 isnot constructed from carbide bits. Ceramic bits 80 a and 80 b ofsharpening element 78 are arranged to create a V-shaped bevel ofapproximately 45°; however, other angles are also possible, e.g., 30°,and such variations fall within the scope of the claims. Ceramic bits 80a and 80 b may have a circular cross-sectional shape, or any othersuitable cross-sectional shape, e.g., triangular, rectangular, etc.Knives are sharpened by pulling the blade through V-shaped groove 82 atmoderate to light pressure, which results in a very fine, non-aggressiveerosion of the metal, producing a very fine edge.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement of sharpeningelements is not intended to be limiting. For example, the positions ofthird and fourth sharpening elements 72 and 78, respectively, may bereversed, or located differently than depicted in the figures.Additionally, first, second, third and fourth sharpening elements, i.e.,elements 84, 68, 72 and 78, respectively, may be formed from a varietyof different materials, e.g., metal, ceramic, resins, composites, etc.,and such variations fall within the scope of the claims.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that in someembodiments the present invention abrasive sharpener 50 compriseshousing 52. Housing 52 comprises first slotted opening 86, secondslotted opening 88 and slotted bottom surface 54. Abrasive sharpener 50further comprises first sharpening element 84 comprising abrasive rod 56pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54 for movement betweena stored position and an extended position. Moreover, sharpener 50comprises first magnet 58 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54and arranged to releasably secure first sharpening element 84 in thestored position. Still further, sharpener 50 comprises second sharpeningelement 68 fixedly secured to edge 90 of housing 52, third sharpeningelement 72 positioned within first slotted opening 86, and fourthsharpening element 78 positioned within second slotted opening 88.

Although the overall size of the present abrasive sharpener is notparticularly germane to the this disclosure, the embodiment of thepresent abrasive sharpener depicted in the accompanying figures isapproximately 3.875″ long, 1.250″ high, and 1.200″ wide, and weighsapproximately 3.7 ounces. In some embodiments, body 52 of sharpener 50is constructed from a metal material and is held together usingconventional fasteners, e.g., nuts and bolts. However, body 52 may alsobe formed from a variety of different materials, e.g., metal, plastic,ceramic, etc. Moreover, body 52 may be finished in any desired finish,e.g., matte black, camouflage, etc., and may further include surfacetexturing to facilitate effective gripping of sharpener 50, e.g., arough leatherette texture. For carrying convenience, in someembodiments, hole 92 is provided in upper rear portion 94 of sharpenerbody 52. A lanyard or other carrying apparatus may be secured to hole 92thereby offering other means of carrying sharpener 50.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing dimensions, weights, surfacecharacteristics, materials of construction and sharpening elementsmaterials are used as an illustrative embodiment and are not intended tobe limiting.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention areefficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to theinvention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill inthe art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that theforegoing description is illustrative of the present invention andshould not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments ofthe present invention are possible without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An abrasive sharpener comprising: a housingcomprising a slotted bottom surface; an abrasive rod pivotally mountedwithin the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored positionand an extended position; and, a first magnet positioned within theslotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasiverod in the stored position.
 2. The abrasive sharpener of claim 1 whereinthe abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasive rod isattracted by the first magnet.
 3. The abrasive sharpener of claim 1further comprising: a mount comprising a first end and a second end,wherein the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second endis pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface.
 4. The abrasiverod of claim 3 wherein the mount comprises a T shape.
 5. The abrasivesharpener of claim 3 wherein the mount comprises a magnetic material andthe mount is attracted by the first magnet.
 6. The abrasive sharpener ofclaim 1 further comprising: a second magnet positioned within theslotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasiverod in the extended position.
 7. The abrasive sharpener of claim 6wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasiverod is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.
 8. Theabrasive sharpener of claim 6 further comprising: a mount comprising afirst end and a second end, wherein the abrasive rod is secured to thefirst end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slottedbottom surface.
 9. The abrasive rod of claim 8 wherein the mountcomprises a T shape.
 10. The abrasive sharpener of claim 8 wherein themount comprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by thefirst magnet and the second magnet.
 11. An abrasive sharpenercomprising: a housing comprising a first slotted opening, a secondslotted opening and a slotted bottom surface; a first sharpening elementcomprising an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottomsurface for movement between a stored position and an extended position;a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arrangedto releasably secure the first sharpening element in the storedposition; a second sharpening element fixedly secured to an edge of thehousing; a third sharpening element positioned within the first slottedopening; and, a fourth sharpening element positioned within the secondslotted opening.
 12. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein thesecond sharpening element is formed from a ceramic material andcomprises a tapered edge.
 13. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 whereinthe third sharpening element comprises first and second carbide bitsarranged to form a V-shape.
 14. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11wherein the fourth sharpening element comprises first and second ceramicbits arranged to form a V-shape.
 15. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasiverod is attracted by the first magnet.
 16. The abrasive sharpener ofclaim 11 wherein the first sharpening element further comprises a mountcomprising a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured tothe first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slottedbottom surface.
 17. The abrasive sharpener of claim 16 wherein the mountcomprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the firstmagnet.
 18. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 further comprising: asecond magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arrangedto releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.
 19. Theabrasive sharpener of claim 18 wherein the abrasive rod comprises amagnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnetand by the second magnet.
 20. The abrasive sharpener of claim 18 whereinthe first sharpening element further comprises a mount comprising afirst end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to the first endand the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottomsurface, the mount comprises a magnetic material and the mount isattracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.